How To Make A Fitted Sheet: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Sew a Fitted Sheet for Beginners PDF download Download Article Follow these easy sewing tips to create perfectly fitted sheets Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Measure your mattress. 2 Cut fabric to size. 3 Prepare your corner markings. 4 Cut out the square. 5 Fold the fabric. 6 Secure the corners. 7 Sew the corners together. 8 Sew along all 4 edges. 9 Fold the hems. 10 Create a casing. 11 Cut your elastic to size. 12 Pull your elastic through. 13 Sew the elastic in place. 14 Finish all 3 corners. + Show 11 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Mason Martinez, BA Reviewed by Shaelynn Haning

Last Updated: January 21, 2026 Fact Checked

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This article was reviewed by Shaelynn Haning and by wikiHow staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. Shaelynn Haning is a Tailor & Business Owner based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shaelynn is the founder of the highest-rated and most-reviewed alterations and tailoring service in Oklahoma, Tallgrass Tailor, employing a team of skilled craftsmen and women from across the country and the world. Shaelynn is a member of the State of Oklahoma Education Careers and Technologies Board and a member of both the Custom Tailors and Designers Association and the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She is the host of The Sew Show with Shae, an entertaining and educational sewing channel posting weekly videos on YouTube. Shaelynn earned her BS in Apparel Design and Product Development from Marist College. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 505,672 times.

You can make bedding yourself by sewing fitted sheets. While making flat sheets and pillowcases involves sewing in a straight line, a homemade fitted sheet can be a little trickier—but you can learn how to make a fitted sheet yourself, even if you're a beginning sewer. For a simple walk-through of this process, read on!

Steps

1

Measure your mattress.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Measure the width, depth, and length of your mattress. This will help you determine how much fabric you should purchase or cut to size. If you don’t want to buy new material, take a larger flat sheet you already own. So, if you’re making a twin-sized fitted sheet, use a queen or king-sized flat sheet. You’ll only need to measure the depth of your mattress using this method.[1]
    • You can use an online bed size chart, but be careful. Each mattress may have a different depth. Measure yours to ensure your fabric will fit.
    • Twin-sized sheets: 35 in (W) x 75 in (L)
    • Full-sized sheets: 53 in (W) x 75 in (L)
    • Queen-sized sheets: 59 in (W) x 79 in (L)
    • King-sized sheets: 71 in (W) x 79 in (L)[2]
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2

Cut fabric to size.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Cut a piece of fabric based on your measurements. Use the formula to cut your fabric to size: Mattress Width + (2 x Mattress Depth) + 16 in and Mattress Length + (2 x depth) + 16 in (40 cm). The additional 16 in (40 cm) will be used for seam allowance and tuck-in, 8 in (20 cm) on each side.
    • An average twin-sized mattress would be 38 in + (2 x 8) + 16 in and 75 in + (2 x 8) + 16 in.
    • If you want to make the process of sewing fitted sheets even simpler, use a flat sheet instead of a large piece of fabric to sew the sheet. If you do this, it may help to level one side of the sheet to the bottom edge of the mattress. This way, you’ll only have to cut two sides of the sheet instead of all four.[3]
3

Prepare your corner markings.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Use your tape measure to measure from the corner of the fabric. Along the mattress’s outer edge, measure over the mattress’s depth and add 8 in (20 cm) from the corner of the fabric. Using a pen or fabric marker, mark this spot.
    • Measure up the depth of the mattress plus 8 in (20 cm) from the marked spot. Put a dot at the spot.
    • Draw a line connecting that dot to the mark on the edge of the sheet. Draw another line connecting the dot to the edge of the fabric on the other side.
    • This will give you a square shape on the corner of your fabric.
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4

Cut out the square.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Follow the lines you drew and cut out your square template. Don’t toss the extra fabric away. Instead, use it as a template for the other 4 corners of your fabric or flat sheet. Doing this to the corners will help ensure the sheet hugs your mattress.[4]
5

Fold the fabric.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Bring the cut edges of each corner together. The right sides of the homemade fitted sheets should face each other, leaving the unfinished side facing you. Be sure the edges line up because you’ll be sewing these together momentarily.[5]
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6

Secure the corners.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Pin the cut edges together at each corner. This will help keep the edges aligned and in place while you sew them together.[6]
    • You can also use sewing clips to keep them in place.
7

Sew the corners together.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Leave a 1/2 inch (1 cm) seam allowance as you sew. When you start, sew a few stitches down before performing a back-stitch. This will ensure your stitches are secure. Continue along the edge until you reach the bottom. Secure with another back-stitch and clip your thread.[7]
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8

Sew along all 4 edges.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Sew each edge of your sheet by folding the hems over 1/2 inch (1 cm). You can secure your edges with pins or sewing clips.[8]
    • You can skip this step if you are using a flat sheet since the edges are already properly hemmed.
9

Fold the hems.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Fold, or roll, your new hems over another 1/2 in (1 cm) and pin. This will give your fitted sheets a finished look while also creating a casing for elastic that you’ll add in a later step.[9]
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10

Create a casing.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Leave 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide gaps along the hems. Typically, you’ll want to leave this gap about 8 in (20 cm) away from the sewn-together corners on each side of the sheet. In this gap, you’ll be able to thread elastic through to make the fitted sheet snug.[10]
    • You can also create a casing that goes the entire length of your project. If using this method, you’ll need more elastic.
11

Cut your elastic to size.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Cut 4 pieces of elastic that measure 16 in (40 cm) long. The elastic is used to cinch the corners of your fitted sheet to your mattress. Suppose you want elastic to run along the edges of your sheet. In that case, you’ll need to calculate the perimeter of your sheet by adding the Width + Length = Amount x 2 = Perimeter.
    • For example, a twin-sized mattress would look like 38 in + 75 in = 113 x 2 = 226.
    • Generally, you want to use ⅔ of elastic for your distance.
    • To calculate this, multiply 2 x Perimeter. Then divide your answer by 3. For instance, 2 x 226 = 452 / 3 = 150.6 inches (382.5 cm) of elastic.[11]
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12

Pull your elastic through.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Thread 1 piece of elastic through the hem in 1 corner of the sheet. Pin 1 end of the elastic using a safety pin to the gap on 1 side.
    • Attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic to help you push it through the hemmed edge of the sheet.[12]
    • Pull the elastic so the sheet corners gather around it.
    • Pin the other end of the elastic to the sheet on the other end.
13

Sew the elastic in place.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Keep the elastic in place by sewing both sides of the corner. Use a zig-zag stitch; this allows the elastic to stretch with the thread.
    • If you use a normal straight stitch, the thread will snap when the elastic stretches.
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14

Finish all 3 corners.

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Fitted Sheet Repeat these steps on all 3 corners. Thread the elastic through the remaining 3 corners and sew each in place. Once you do, you’ll have a brand-new fitted sheet!

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question I'm trying to make a bassinet fitted sheet. It's 19 1/2" wide, and 1" high and 33" long with rounded corners. How do I modify the measurements of the fabric and fitted corners to accommodate this bassinet? Community Answer Community Answer Most beds have rounded corners. When you insert the elastic, it will make the corners fit a rounded or square corner. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 27
  • Question How do I make a king size fitted sheet? Community Answer Community Answer The same as shown above. Because you are measuring the bed, it doesn't make any difference if it's a queen, twin, double or king bed. The measurements are what you go by. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 33
  • Question I'm making a bassinet fitted sheet and the mattress is only like 1.5" thick. Do I still add the additional 16 inches? Community Answer Community Answer You will probably only need 8 or 10 inches. With such a thin mattress, you won't need as much fabric. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 11
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Tips

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Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Fabric or flat sheet
  • Scissors
  • Fabric marker or pen
  • Straight pins or sewing clips
  • Sewing machine and thread
  • Safety pin
  • .25-inch (.64 cm) wide elastic

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_qyDXAP3rw&t=5s
  2. ↑ https://sewguide.com/bed-linen-sizes/
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_qyDXAP3rw&t=53s
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RkD7sMiLFA&t=204s
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=234&v=_RkD7sMiLFA&feature=youtu.be
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_qyDXAP3rw&t=118s
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=246&v=_RkD7sMiLFA&feature=youtu.be
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=525&v=_RkD7sMiLFA&feature=youtu.be
  9. ↑ https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/make-casing-to-hold-elastic
More References (3)
  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=525&v=_RkD7sMiLFA&feature=youtu.be
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiKKJI13Nnc&t=82s
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RkD7sMiLFA&t=554s

About This Article

Shaelynn Haning Reviewed by: Shaelynn Haning Professional Tailor & Business Owner This article was reviewed by Shaelynn Haning and by wikiHow staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. Shaelynn Haning is a Tailor & Business Owner based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shaelynn is the founder of the highest-rated and most-reviewed alterations and tailoring service in Oklahoma, Tallgrass Tailor, employing a team of skilled craftsmen and women from across the country and the world. Shaelynn is a member of the State of Oklahoma Education Careers and Technologies Board and a member of both the Custom Tailors and Designers Association and the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She is the host of The Sew Show with Shae, an entertaining and educational sewing channel posting weekly videos on YouTube. Shaelynn earned her BS in Apparel Design and Product Development from Marist College. This article has been viewed 505,672 times. 19 votes - 100% Co-authors: 18 Updated: January 21, 2026 Views: 505,672 Categories: Sewing Blankets In other languages Spanish Italian Russian German French Dutch Japanese
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Reader Success Stories

  • Hazel Baptiste

    Hazel Baptiste

    Apr 14, 2017

    "I've been wanting to sew my own fitted sheets for a long time, but could not find any demos that actually..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Shaelynn Haning Reviewed by: Shaelynn Haning Professional Tailor & Business Owner Co-authors: 18 Updated: January 21, 2026 Views: 505,672 100% of readers found this article helpful. 19 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Hazel Baptiste

Hazel Baptiste

Apr 14, 2017

"I've been wanting to sew my own fitted sheets for a long time, but could not find any demos that actually..." more Rated this article: Madeleine P.

Madeleine P.

Jan 18, 2025

"Thank you for this article on making fitted sheets. I've never done them, but the way you explained it will..." more Norma Ismail

Norma Ismail

Jun 24, 2019

"I've tried sewing fitted sheets, but always got stranded at the corners. Following the steps given in this..." more Rated this article: Vivian McDonald

Vivian McDonald

Aug 22, 2016

"I wanted to know how to make a fitted sheet for a doll's crib. You made it look so easy! I'm off to get..." more Sheryl Vickers

Sheryl Vickers

Jul 27, 2017

"My daughter only uses fitted sheets, so with the flat sheet from the sheet sets, I needed to make them into fitted..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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